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CAF
9 hours ago
- Sport
- CAF
CAF names WAFCON 2024 Best XI
Published: Tuesday, 29 July 2025 Nigeria's dominance at the TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2024 has been further underlined after four of their players were named in the tournament's official Best XI, as selected by CAF's Technical Study Group (TSG). The 11-player team, arranged in a 4-3-3 formation, features standout performers from across the continent following a fiercely competitive edition of the tournament co-hosted by Morocco and Ghana. Nigeria, who defeated hosts Morocco 3-2 in the final on Saturday night to clinch their tenth WAFCON crown, contributed the highest number of players to the elite line-up. Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Ndozie earned her place between the sticks following a series of commanding displays, while dynamic full-back Michelle Alozie, influential forward Esther Okoronkwo, and tournament top scorer Rasheedat Ajibade also made the cut. Joining them is Moroccan captain Ghizlane Chebbak, whose creative influence helped guide the hosts to a second consecutive final. Fellow Moroccan and top striker Ibtissam Jraidi also featured prominently in the line-up. Ghana's Portia Boakye and Grace Asantewaa were rewarded for their leadership and consistency despite the Black Queens falling just short of the final, while South Africa's Karabo Dlamini, Refiloe Jane and Bambanani Mbane were also included after leading Banyana Banyana to a semi-final finish. The CAF Technical Study Group named Nigeria's Justin Madugu as the tournament's Coach of the Tournament following his team's successful title run. A strong list of substitutes was also released, including Zambia's Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji, Senegal's Nguenar Ndiaye, Algeria's Chloe Yamina N'Gazi, and Nigeria's Osinachi Ohale and Jennifer Echegini. The 2024 tournament saw a rise in attacking play, with 66 goals scored across 26 matches—an average of 2.54 goals per game, an improvement from the 2.25 average in 2022. The 4-3-3 formation emerged as the most used tactical shape throughout the tournament. CAF's WAFCON 2024 Best XI (4-3-3 formation): Goalkeeper : Chiamaka Ndozie (Nigeria) Defenders : Michelle Alozie (Nigeria), Bambanani Mbane (South Africa), Portia Boakye (Ghana), Karabo Dlamini (South Africa) Midfielders : Ghizlane Chebbak (Morocco), Refiloe Jane (South Africa), Grace Asantewaa (Ghana) Forwards: Esther Okoronkwo (Nigeria), Ibtissam Jraidi (Morocco), Rasheedat Ajibade (Nigeria) Coach of the Tournament: Justin Madugu (Nigeria) Substitutes: Chloe Yamina N'Gazi (Algeria) Osinachi Ohale (Nigeria) Hanane Ait El Haj (Morocco) Jennifer Echegini (Nigeria) Saana Mssoudy (Morocco) Barbra Banda (Zambia) Racheal Kundananji (Zambia) Nguenar Ndiaye (Senegal) Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah (Ghana)
CAF
3 days ago
- Sport
- CAF
Nigeria's Justin Madugu Named WAFCON 2024 Coach of the Tournament
Published: Saturday, 26 July 2025 Nigeria's head coach Justin Madugu has been named Coach of the Tournament at the 2024 CAF TotalEnergies Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), crowning a remarkable campaign in which he led the Super Falcons to a historic 10th continental title. Madugu's emergence as one of the standout figures at the tournament marks a defining moment in his coaching career. Re-appointed as head coach on interim basis just months before the competition, the 61-year-old tactician seized his first major opportunity at the helm to deliver silverware and restore Nigeria's dominance on the continent. Prior to his appointment, Madugu had served twice in an interim capacity under former American head coach Randy Waldrum. He was also assistant coach during Nigeria's past three WAFCON appearances, winning the title under Edwin Okon in 2014, reclaiming it with Thomas Dennerby in 2018, and finishing fourth under Waldrum in 2022. In 2024, the Nigeria Football Federation entrusted the job to the seasoned and homegrown coach and he delivered. Relatively unknown on the global stage before Morocco 2024, the Adamawa-born coach quickly proved his mettle. He masterfully blended experience with youth, and home-based talent with overseas professionals, building a cohesive and tactically disciplined squad. Under Madugu's leadership, the Super Falcons went unbeaten, conceded just one goal throughout the tournament, and produced dominant performances, including a 5-0 thrashing of Zambia and a hard-fought 2-1 semifinal victory over defending champions South Africa. They sealed the title with a comeback win over hosts Morocco in the final. Madugu's tactical acumen, combining defensive solidity with attacking precision was central to Nigeria's successful 'Mission X' campaign, culminating in a record 10th WAFCON crown. His impressive résumé includes technical roles at major international tournaments: the 2020 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Trinidad and Tobago, the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Chile, and the 2015 and 2019 FIFA Women's World Cups. He also part of Nigeria's 2015 All Africa Games gold medal success, the 2019 WAFU-B Women's Cup title. With continental success now under his belt, Madugu is expected to lead the Super Falcons into their 2026 WAFCON title defense and spearhead their campaign at the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil. After consecutive Round of 16 finishes at the last two World Cups, Nigeria is aiming higher and with Madugu at the helm, the Super Falcons appear well-positioned to take the next step toward global glory.
